Stenhousemuir’s improbable climb almost complete

When Stenhousemuir lost at home to Airdrie United last month it left them with a mountain to climb in their quest for a Division Two play-off place.

Now, with one league match left to play, they are within touching distance of the summit having won three games on the bounce.

The Warriors will complete an unlikely comeback if they beat Forfar Athletic on Saturday and the Diamonds fail to take all three points from their trip to league champions Cowdenbeath.

If Airdrie lose, a point would in theory be enough for the Ochilview side.

But a win for the Lanarkshire men would guarantee an end to Stenny’s season.

Assistant manager Kevin McGoldrick said last month that his team needed to win its remaining matches and not worry about results elsewhere.

And when Heraldsport caught up with him this week, Goldie said the message to the Stenhousemuir players remained the same.

“We can only concern ourselves with our own game,” he said.

“We can’t afford to be distracted by matches taking place elsewhere. We have to go out and win against Forfar, a team that have a lot to play for themselves.”

McGoldrick denied that anyone in the Stenhousemuir dugout would be listening to a radio for the latest scores from elsewhere.

“I’m sure we’ll pick up what’s happening anyway,” he added.

“Saturday’s match will be about keeping our composure. If we play anywhere near as good as we have in recent weeks then we’ll win the game. We won’t be panicking if we don’t score in the opening ten minutes.”

Stenny’s recent run of winning form has surprised some observers given how inconsistent the side has been since New Year.

Before then, the Warriors were still being backed as outside bet for the Division Two title.

“We probably should have wrapped it up by now,” said McGoldrick.

“Myself and Davie felt we had a good enough team to win this league. But there’s been significant improvement at the club from last season, and we’ll be looking to improve further next season.”

Stenhousemuir go in to their make-or-break clash with Forfar with a full squad of players, with no new injuries to report.